Sustainability

By the very nature of our business we act as a mass mover of the public helping to reduce the number of vehicles on Somerset’s roads. Our trains can accommodate up to 400 passengers per trip and on busy days we can accommodate up to 3,000 passengers per day.

Most of our stations are on a bus route therefore customers can then connect with onward bus services away from and to the railway. The Moor Rover is a unique demand responsive service providing access to areas within Exmoor National Park that are not otherwise served by public transport helping you to get the most out of the Exmoor National Park whether for walking, cycling or any other leisure activity.

We have set up partnership with other attractions and accommodation providers using a connecting bus service, this again reduces vehicle movements allowing our customers to use ‘public transport’ without the need for a car.

We regularly team up with First Great Western and other providers to run shuttle trains or Charters from other parts of the country off the main line and through to Minehead. This helps reduce vehicle movements from those parts of the country to West Somerset.

We recycle paper and cardboard waste and will shortly be introducing glass and can/tin recycling.

Our catering outlets use local suppliers where possible and promote these businesses to our customers, a good example being our Cheese and Cider Special where we issue an information sheet with the suppliers contact details and information.

We work with local community groups and schools in the railway’s corridor. We provide talks and guided tours of the railway to school groups. Our most popular option is our ‘Evacuee Specials’.

The West Somerset Railway features in the Countryside, history & coast car free day out on the Visit Somerset web site. The cra free day out allows you to explore Somerset without a car and includes the West Somerset Railway, Museums and fossil hunting at Watchet, Cleeve Abbey, Torre Cider Farm and the Old Harbour at Minehead.